Cebu’s worsening traffic outlook

Again, with a pre-statement --when we say “traffic” here we will mean “traffic congestion”. This has already been repeatedly used, it becomes normal usage. In the vernacular, “na-traffic” means caught in a traffic congestion. And there has been more of that lately in Cebu (both the city and the metro). Not that it’s surprising as vehicle count always increases while road space seldom does. So worsening traffic congestion will always be expected as inevitable.

How about the BRT? Wouldn’t it help alleviate traffic congestion? Hmmm…that’s a very fair question. And not an easy one to answer. My best attempt would be “Yes” and “No.” First and foremost, we need to exaggerate that the BRT is not designed to solve traffic, much as many would really want to think so. The BRT is another…a new, public transport system. We’re familiar with jeepneys in the Philippines, as well as the buses in Manila and the LRT and MRT (trains). The BRT is the same as those, more like the trains than buses.

They would replace the jeepneys, right? So that would improve traffic. Right? Well, not really. Or not as one would expect. For one, congestion is really more caused by private cars although many would say, and it’s true to some extent, that the jeepneys cause that, too. The BRT would replace jeepneys, but only on the routes they’re running, not on all. Jeepney in all other routes will remain. And since the BRT will have its own lane, to the exclusion of all other vehicles, traffic congestion will continue on the remaining lanes.

That has to be addressed separately. Oftentimes, differences in ideas are caused by differences in understanding, especially of what a BRT is. The Bus Rapid Transit is a public transport system. It is not a solution to traffic congestion. It is not designed for that purpose and is not expected to be one. In fact, as we have already previously stated, it may cause congestion, especially during the construction period. But it will perform the function it is distinctively designed for --as a public transport system. And that is providing mobility --the ability to move our people from their homes to their places of work and school, fast and efficiently, in the morning and back to their homes in the afternoon.

That being said, it is imperative that the city, no, the entire Cebu metropolis actually, look into and prepare for the ever-worsening traffic outlook. Traffic congestion is one of those things that always gets worse than better, and continues to do so as population increases and the economy develops. The way to truly address this issue as has been done in many other countries is to improve public transportation and shift the people’s choice to that mode. It seems this track is not being done today, not by the national government or by the local leaders and officials. The BRT needs public awareness and public education.

The BRT won’t solve “traffic”. It will serve its purpose for mobility. But traffic congestion also has to be addressed separately. It seems our people in government are, perhaps, not aware of this or do not care at all.